The Beggs City Council and Beggs Public Works Authority (BPWA) convened Monday for their monthly meetings. The evening began with a public hearing on the fiscal budget for the 2024/2025 year, covering several key agenda items and notable decisions.

— Public Hearing on the Fiscal Budget for 2024/2025 The public hearing presented the proposed budget, published on June 26. Detailed budgeted numbers for various departments were discussed, with total projected revenues and expenditures outlined, notably:

• General Fund: Total revenue of $1,034,132 and total expenditures of $932,172.

• Fire Department: Revenues of $143,567 and expenses of $127,600.

• Cemetery Fund: Revenues of $42,012 and expenses of $16,599.

• Municipal Court: Revenues of $3,441 and expenditures of $23,010.

• Police Fund: Revenues of $3,140 and expenses of $4,929.

• Public Works Authority: Revenues of $1,113,989 and expenditures of $1,136,735.

Council members raised concerns about the budget deficits in various departments, particularly the Public Works Authority, which showed a significant deficit. The necessity of balancing the budget by either increasing revenues or cutting expenses was emphasized. Council members discussed the need for a water rate study to better understand and address the water system’s financial issues.

— Decisions on Agenda Items 1. Approval of the 2024/2025 Fiscal Budget: • Status: Approved, excluding the Public Works budget, which will be revisited after further analysis of water rates.

2. Approval of Resolution 2024-03 for 2024/2025 budget 3. Appropriations of $32,961.15 from General Fund to BPWA approved.

4. Approval of Purchase Orders 5. Approval of Financial Statements 6. Approval of Meeting Minutes (June 10, 2024) Resolution 2024-4: 7. Resolution 2024-5: Special Election Proclamation: • Status: Approved, with amendments noted.

7. Recommendation from Planning and Zoning: • Building Permit: Approved for constructing a 3,500 sq ft home and 2400 shop at 8409 South Choctaw.

• Storage Shelter: Approved for a 30x20x12 hoop building at 709 North Osage.

• Finalizing Commercial Portion of City Map: Approved, with a discussion on further updates and necessary certifications.

— Upcoming Special Election

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the upcoming special election regarding a change in the city government structure from an Aldermanic form to a Council- Manager form of government. The special election is scheduled for November 5. The proclamation was read aloud and approved, ensuring that registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on this critical issue.

Key Points About the Special Election

• Date: November 5, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Purpose: To decide whether to change the city government from a statutory aldermanic form to a statutory council-manager form.

• Absentee Ballots: Will be provided in accordance with state law.

• Polling Places: Details will be included in the official resolution and communicated to the public.

— Additional Discussions

• Public Awareness: Council members discussed the importance of informing citizens about the implications of the proposed government change. Plans were made to invite a representative from the Oklahoma Municipal Managers Association to explain the council- manager form of government at the next meeting.

• Habitual Non-Payment of Water Bills: The council also discussed strategies to address habitual non-payment of water bills, emphasizing the need for better enforcement and community support programs.

• Infrastructure Improvements: There was a strong focus on improving the city’s water infrastructure, which is essential for sustainable growth and service delivery.

— BPWA Meeting Decisions

Following the City Council meeting, the BPWA held its session and addressed several key agenda items: 1. Approval of the 2024/2025 Fiscal Budget: • Status: Tabled until a more precise figure for the necessary water rate increase can be determined.

2. Approval of Appropriations from BPWA to General Fund ($32,961.15) 3. Approval of Purchase Orders 4. Approval of Financial Statements 5. Approval of meeting minutes for June 10, 2024 6. Status Update on Lake Arbor Project:

• Status: Reviewed ongoing improvements, including the installation of the remaining materials and the resolution of outstanding issues with the contractor.

7. Approval of PO#25140014 for Myers Engineering in the amount of $2983.25 CDBG/REAP Grant on water line replacement and PO#25140015 in the amount of $3920.00 wastewater treatment facility evaluation 8. Information on Consent Order Case #24-175 signed and sent to DEQ 7/5/24 -For more information, visit Beggs City Hall at 108 N. Broadway.